Juventus were ahead after nine minutes, and in style. Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara launched long, Nicolás González ran through and finished with his left for 1-0. The advantage doubled on 24 minutes when Weston McKennie’s measured pass found Kerim Alajbegović, who rifled in high at the far post. By 35 minutes it was three, as González won a penalty and Nick Woltemade converted low to the keeper’s left.

The underlying data matched the eye test. In the first half Juventus generated 2.05 xG to NEC’s 0.47, landing 4 shots on target from just 5 total attempts. NEC actually outshot the hosts before the break (7 to 5), but 5 efforts missed the target. Juventus were disciplined too, committing just 4 fouls to NEC’s 9 and controlling the box entries that mattered.

Second-half control and sharp changes

NEC tried to reset with a halftime change, and later introduced Perr Schuurs for extra stability. Juventus answered with their own tweaks on the hour. Teun Koopmeiners and Francisco Conceição added fresh legs in midfield and attack, then Randal Kolo Muani arrived on 71 minutes to tilt the final stages.

The hosts kept applying pressure without overextending. Second-half shots read 6-4 to Juventus, with a 2.09 xG split that reflected two more clear openings. Zeki Çelik made it 4-0 on 75 minutes after Kolo Muani’s square ball, and the Frenchman then scored the fifth himself on 82 minutes from Jhon Lucumí’s assist. Juventus won 7-2 on second-half interceptions and edged recoveries 26-22, while NEC’s 10 fouls after the break stalled any chance of rhythm.

Why the numbers screamed 5-0

Big chances tell the story: Juventus created 5 and scored 4; NEC had none. The hosts touched the ball 21 times in the penalty area to NEC’s 13 and hit 9 shots from inside the box. Accuracy mattered too, with Juventus placing 7 of their 11 shots on target, compared to 3 on target from NEC’s 11 attempts. Even without corners, the home side converted final-third moments efficiently.

Duels swung the middle of the pitch. Juventus won 58% of all duels and dominated on the ground (48/77), while NEC were stronger only in the air (9/14). Dribbles also leaned black-and-white at 8/15 to 5/16. Passing volume favored NEC (548 to 498) and so did final-third entries (42 to 34), but the home team were superior with direct play, completing 34 of 54 long balls at 63%. In goal, Grabara made 3 saves and posted 0.50 goals prevented, while Nikolas Polster finished at -0.34 with one error leading to a goal.

Match MVP: Randal Kolo Muani

Arriving late but leaving the loudest mark, Kolo Muani produced a superb 19-minute cameo and earned an 8.8 Sofascore Rating. He scored Juventus’ fifth with a clinical right-foot finish and assisted Çelik for the fourth, turning a comfortable win into a statement result. His passing was spotless at 8/8, including 1 key pass, and he created a big chance moments after coming on.

The numbers underscore the impact: 0.9986 xG on his goal, 0.658 expected assists, 7 ball carries with 3 progressive carries and nearly 38 meters of total progression. It was efficiency plus threat on repeat. Brief nods to the supporting cast: Alajbegović (8.6) was flawless on the ball and scored, González (8.6) opened the night and won the penalty, while Grabara (8.3) delivered an assist and three saves. Jhon Lucumí quietly excelled too at the back, threading 70/74 passes and setting up Kolo Muani’s strike.